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If you are living with chronic pain, you may have read that an orthopedic mattress can help you manage it better.

While certain mattresses do suit certain types of chronic pain, the term “orthopedic mattress” is primarily a marketing one that lacks any true medical relevance. It was first introduced during the 1970s after a survey of orthopedic surgeons without any clear definition.

Positive medical outcomes may still be offered by an orthopedic mattress. It is important to look for mattresses that offer the right size, cushion, and firmness for your needs.

We considered these details when creating our list of the best mattresses.

What about ergonomic mattresses?

The term ergonomics is often used with mattresses.

An ergonomics mattress is one that supports chronic pain. If the mattress has a design for support and high quality materials, it is considered an ergonomic mattress.

Still, the right firmness ultimately depends on how you sleep with different variations. For example, 2016 research suggests that medium-firm mattresses may aid chronic low-back pain. But there haven’t been enough conclusive studies to determine that this level of firmness definitively improves this condition.

Soft mattresses have been shown to do more harm than good. Your joints twist at night when you sink into soft materials, causing you to feel comfortable.

Adjustable beds could, in theory, solve the issue of ideal mattress firmness. However, they tend to be more expensive, and they aren’t proven to treat any particular condition.

The term “orthopedic mattress” is a marketing term. The ideal consumer is anyone.

An orthopedic mattress is a good option for anyone who needs extra support for their joints. The market for this type of mattress is usually for people over 65 years old who have arthritis or are recovering from injuries.

The criteria that we use to pick our selections.

  • Company policies. Warranty, extended home trials, return policies, and shipping are important criteria to consider, especially when purchasing a mattress online. We did our best to select companies with good policies, but it’s still important to research these criteria on any prospective company’s website before finalizing your mattress purchase.
  • Company reputation and transparency. The brands we selected have good reputations and produce high quality mattresses without making unsubstantiated medical claims. Furthermore, our selected companies commit to transparent business practices, such as clear sleep trial policies that are honored if you’re not satisfied with the mattress.
  • Customer reviews. We pored through customer reviews of each mattress, sometimes looking at several websites when applicable. Based on these reviews, we summarized common pros and cons raised by customers.
  • Quality materials. The mattresses here use materials from a range of quality sources, including those that are non-flammable and non-toxic.
  • Medium firmness. From a support perspective, medium-firm mattresses are ideal for joint and back pain.

Pricing guide

We created a pricing guide based on queen-size mattresses for easy comparison.

  • $ = under $1,300
  • $$ = $1,300–$2,000
  • $$$ = over $2,000

You may have to pay for more than the list price.

Some companies offer financing plans that could help offset the cost.

Best overall

Saatva Classic Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11.5 or 14.5 inches

“The Saatva Classic Mattress is praised for helping customers get a better night’s sleep. Many say the mattress has helped them.”

The Saatva Classic has layers of foam and innerspring coil. The mattress has three levels of firmness, plus a two height option and a luxury firm option.

If you have chronic pain, you may benefit from the luxury-firm level the most.

Saatva offers a 180-night home trial, free shipping, a 15-year warranty, and free white-glove delivery to help you set up your new mattress.

Pros

  • “You can change the mattress’s height and firmness.”
  • Saatva’s rating and reviews on their Better Business Bureau page indicate that if you do need some customer service, they will be available and willing to help out.

Cons

  • “Some online reviews say that the coil system in this mattress doesn’t support the back they hoped for.”
  • “It is more like a pocketed coil system with a more traditional innerspring, so the bed won’t cradle or conform to you like memory foam.”

Buy the Saatva Classic Mattress online.

Best hybrid

DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 14 inches

The DreamCloud Luxury hybrid mattress is known for its combination of foam layers and individually wrapped coils.

The foam and coil are said to help you sleep and stay cool. Many customers who tried this mattress say they experience less pain at night.

The DreamCloud Luxury hybrid has five mattress layers. The foam layers claim to be free of toxic chemicals.

“The product is said to work with any base you might already have, so you don’t have to purchase a new base or bed frame.”

The most common complaint with this mattress is delayed shipping and delivery.

DreamCloud has a trial for their mattresses.

Pros

  • The mattress has a special foam that is meant to support you without giving you that sinking-in feeling.
  • The bed is thicker than most, and it may be because of the hybrid coils and dense foam.

Cons

  • The mattress is so dense that it can be difficult to maneuver on and get out.
  • The key to relieve pressure and back pain is to have a neutral spine alignment, which is the key to this bed.

Buy the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress online.

Best adjustable mattress

Saatva Solaire Adjustable Mattress Upper Flex

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: adjustable hybrid
  • Height: 13 inches

The Saatva Solaire is rated a 4.9 out of 5 stars.

This mattress is great for couples who prefer different settings. The Solaire has two remote control settings, one for each side of the bed.

The Saatva Solaire has six layers of support, which the company says help maximize comfort. Saatva says this includes latex, organic cotton and memory foam.

The company offers the same 180-night sleep trial and free white-glove delivery as their other products. It is expensive, but there is a 25-year warranty.

You will need to buy the base separately for Saatva Solaire. If you buy a queen-size mattress from Saatva, it will cost an additional $1,399

Pros

  • You can play around and figure out what supports your back best with so many settings.
  • Your partner can change their settings so that you both like your mattress.

Cons

  • If you spend more money on an option base, this bed will work as an option.

Buy the Saatva Solaire Adjustable Mattress Upper Flex online.

Best memory foam

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

  • Price: $
  • Type: Foam
  • Height: 11 inches

If you prefer the soft feel of an all-foam mattress without springs, the popular Nectar Memory Foam mattress is a good choice.

This mattress is said to have a medium-firm feel. It contains five layers, including a gel foam layer, and a Tencel cover designed to help you stay cool at night.

According to a Nectar survey, 90 percent of their customers say that their memory foam mattress helps with overall aches, as well as neck and body pain.

“If you weigh over 230 pounds, or sleep with a partner, memory foam isn’t suitable.”

You can try the mattress for a year. The company offers free shipping and returns.

You should read the full details of your purchase for more information, as the “forever warranty” on their mattresses is only a part of it.

Pros

  • You can try the mattress for a year to see if you want to keep it.
  • If the mattress has any quality issues, you can get a replacement.

Cons

  • If you need an orthopedic mattress, you should not use memory foam.
  • “If you weigh less than 130 pounds, you may find that the mattress doesn’t feel very cushiony.”

Buy the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress online.

Best for side sleepers

Casper Original Mattress

  • Price: $
  • Type: hybrid or foam
  • Height: 11 inches

The support that the Casper mattresses offer helps you stay cool at night. The Original Mattress has hybrid and all-foam models that feature more absorbent foam.

The company says their mattress is great for side sleepers because of the layers that offer pressure relief.

Many customers report a decrease in back pain. Some say the mattress is too firm.

Free shipping and returns are offered by Casper. You may smell a chemical off-gassing smell after unpacking the mattress.

Pros

  • The firmness level supports healthy spine alignment.
  • Reviewers say the mattress is very comfortable.

Cons

  • The memory foam option might not be enough for stomach sleepers.
  • Reviewers find this bed too soft for their liking, especially if they are looking for spine support.

Buy the Casper Original Mattress online.

Best value orthopedic mattress

Helix Midnight

  • Price: $
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 12 inches

The Helix Midnight is a medium-firm mattress that is more affordable than other hybrid mattresses.

The mattress is designed to support side sleepers and relieve pressure at the hips and shoulders. The company says it helps you stay cool.

Customers say the mattress helps alleviate back pain, and many others say it works well for couples. The mattress feels a bit softer than expected.

The company offers a 100 night sleep trial for their mattresses.

Pros

  • It is a great deal if you are a side sleeper who needs support.
  • The bed has a cushiony feel with the support of a spring coil system.

Cons

  • People with higher body weight and people who sleep on their stomach should probably use a thicker mattress.
  • “Reviewers don’t score this bed highly on motion transfer, which means that if you sleep next to a partner who moves around during the night, you might want to steer clear.”

Buy the Helix Midnight online.

Best luxury

Purple Hybrid Premier

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11.5 to 12.5 inches

The purple hybrid premier mattress is said to support all your pressure points. The brand says its gel grid is more comfortable than a foam mattress in the long term.

You can choose between 3 or 4 inches of the signature grid as part of the design. The larger grid size is recommended for side sleepers or people with more weight.

Some reviewers say that the purple hybrid premier caused back pain as they tried to get used to the grid, while many say it helps them sleep better.

You can try the mattress for 100 nights. The company offers free shipping and returns.

Pros

  • You can sleep with a unique gel grid.
  • If you feel like you have tried everything, this mattress might be worth a try.

Cons

  • Some people never grow to like the purple mattress, and most people who try it say it takes some time to get used to.
  • Some reviewers say that the grid makes their back pain worse.

Buy the Purple Hybrid Premier online.

Best for spinal alignment

Avocado Green Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: Hybrid
  • Height: 11 inches

“The industry standard for clean, eco-friendly materials is set by the Avocado Green Mattress. It is made of certified organic wool, latex, and cotton, which means that it won’t let off toxic fumes or VCOs. If you have allergies or sleep on your stomach with your nose pressed to the mattress, that becomes even more important.”

The mattress hits the sweet spot that keeps your spine aligned no matter what position you sleep in. The optional pillow topper can be used to add a more plush feel to pillows for people who weigh less than 130 pounds.

The mattress is made with extra coil around the edges so that it can fit in the most nooks and crannies of the room. This is a great pick if you like to spread out while you sleep and need support.

The customer service policies of Avocado are generous, with a 1-year trial and 25-year warranty.

Pros

  • Clean materials will be appreciated.
  • Reviewers say that the latex in the mattress kept them cool.

Cons

  • If you weigh less than 130 pounds, it might be too firm.
  • There are differing opinions on whether or not this mattress is good for motion isolation.

Buy the Avocado Green Mattress online.

Best for back pain

The WinkBed

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 13.5 inches

If you need firm back support but are used to an innerspring mattress, the WinkBed might be your ticket. It is a thick mattress with a pocketed coil and several layers of foam.

The WinkBed is used by people with back pain. The reinforced memory foam in the middle of the mattress could be the reason. The type of foam used in this layer is unique to WinkBed, and it claims to add additional support while you sleep.

“Even though it isn’t the cheapest, you can rest easy because it also has a limited lifetime warranty. A 120-night sleep trial is available.”

Pros

  • People who sleep on their stomachs find this mattress to be adequate support.
  • Hot sleepers give this mattress high marks because of the cover.
  • Customers rave about the customer service of the WinkBed.

Cons

  • If you are less than 130 pounds, you might find this mattress too firm.
  • “The mattress may not feel soft enough for a good night’s sleep, and it may not conform to the body of people on the lighter side.”

Buy the WinkBed online.

It is important to look for key features that indicate a supportive product, given the wide range of mattresses available.

For chronic pain and proper spinal alignment, it may be best to choose a medium-firm mattress.

It’s also important to consider other factors to help prevent or manage pain related to your mattress. You may need a firmer mattress, depending on your personal preference, body weight, and tendency to sleep on your side.

In general, there’s no one-size-fits-all supportive mattress. Research and personal preference are important considerations, as well as the realization that the first one you try may not be your forever mattress.

If you can, try a mattress out in person for at least 15 minutes to help narrow things down, even if you buy a mattress online.

You can order an orthopedic mattress the same way you would any other mattress. People with joint pain and people with back support might want to try out a mattress for a while before making a decision.

“The industry standard for a sleep trial is 100 days or more, and all of the mattresses on this list fit that criteria. If you want to try out a mattress, you should keep it for 30 to 60 days to make sure you’re good to go.”

Traditional mattresses are marketed as orthopedic. The FDA does not need to vet a mattress to call it an orthopedic mattress.

Doctors recommend mattresses with features if you have joint pain.

  • Support for healthy spine alignment is medium-firm or firm.
  • The middle third of the mattress has padding, foam, or coil.
  • Extra foam layers, remote-control adjustment capability, or an optional pillow top are available for personalization.
  • It is possible to get deep, long-term, healthy sleep.

In some cases, making adjustments to your sleeping position may be enough to help increase comfort.

Most people sleep on their sides, which may also alleviate chronic health issues, such as low back pain and sleep apnea.

However, if you sleep on your side, it’s important to keep your spine aligned to prevent shoulder and neck pain. A firm pillow can help you if you’re a side sleeper. You may also consider using a body pillow or placing a pillow between your knees to help alleviate pain in your lower back and hip joints.

Creating an ideal sleeping environment may also help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep. Having a night-time routine could also help impact your sleep schedule. You can start with the following tips:

  • Go to bed and wake up at the same time each night.
  • Blue lights from electronic devices can be seen in a dark room.
  • The bedroom should be a cool temperature.
  • Consider adding white noise, like a fan, if you need to drown out other sounds that keep you awake at night.
  • Before going to sleep, avoid alcohol and caffeine for 3 to 4 hours.

Which mattresses do orthopedic surgeons recommend?

There is limited research on mattresses for back pain.

A 2005 review cited an older survey of orthopedic surgeons. In the survey, 95 percent of surgeons felt that mattresses play a part in low back pain and 76 percent recommended a firmer mattress. Beyond that, individual recommendations may vary.

If you have an orthodontist, you should ask them which product they recommend for you and what types of mattresses you should avoid. It is safe to say that they will not recommend sleeping on a low quality mattress or using your mattress past its recommended lifespan.

Which mattresses do back doctors recommend?

“Buying a bed that is firm is recommended by orthopedists. Over time, your mattress will begin to sink and get softer. You don’t want a bed that’s too soft to sleep on after a while. The bed you choose is a decision that is up to you.”

Are orthopedic mattresses worth it?

“You might think that a traditional mattress is more expensive than an ollie mattress. It might be because the materials are more durable. Spending more on a mattress just because it is marketed as pedic doesn’t mean it will be worth it.”

It is important to read reviews like this one. Both can help with big consumer decisions, like which mattress to buy.

How do I choose an orthopedic mattress?

We think our top picks are all pretty great, so you can start shopping for an orthopedic mattress by taking a look at our top picks. You can factor in your own factors.

  • Your sleeping position.
  • Whether or not you sleep with a partner.
  • Do you tend to get hotter when you sleep?

Many mattresses claim to provide back support. Remember to take other things into account as well.

If you can get out to a showroom and try out a few mattresses, you might be able to figure out how much support you need.

What is the best orthopedic mattress to buy?

We think any mattress on this list would be a great place to start your orthopedic mattress search. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all “best” mattress. Your budget, your body type, and Your sleeping position. are just a few of the things that can play into which mattress will be best for you.

It is possible that a more supportive mattress can help you sleep better.

The right mattress is supportive and firm enough, but also being the right size.

It is necessary to try out a few brands before buying a mattress. If you are considering multiple mattresses, be sure to understand the trial periods, shipping and return policies.

“Kristeen Cherney is a PhD candidate who is interested in covering topics related to mental disabilities, women’s health, skin health, diabetes, and asthma. She is working on a PhD about the intersection of disability studies and literacy studies. Cherney enjoys getting outdoors when she isn’t researching or writing. She practices yoga and kick-boxing.”